Bruce F. Simmeth – 6/13/05

This page was last updated on June 13, 2005.

Deep cuts for most needy; Bruce F. Simmeth; Beaver County Times; June 13, 2005.

The letter identifies the author as Executive Director of United Way of Beaver County.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“I am writing concerning the major cuts in important bread-and-butter programs for low-income families that are scheduled to take place in the next federal budget.

“These agricultural-related programs include the food stamps program, the Earned Income Tax Credit, Supplemental Security Income, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.”

[RWC] Other than perhaps food stamps, how are these welfare programs “agricultural related?”

I don’t know where Mr. Simmeth got his info. President Bush’s 2006 budget proposal increased spending for “Food and Nutrition Service.” This covers food stamps. Regarding SSI, the 2006 budget proposal was 1.8% lower than 2005 but still 13.6% higher than 2004. I couldn’t find a figure for TANF, but the budget proposal for the department (HHS) that runs TANF increased 9.9%. I couldn’t find anything about the EITC other than an effort to reduce erroneous payments.

Based on this info, I don’t know how Mr. Simmeth can allege “major cuts” in these welfare programs.

“It is my understanding that U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter supported an amendment that would have protected all agriculture-related programs, including food stamps, from major cuts.

“Unfortunately, this amendment didn’t prevail. These deep cuts in several essential programs for our low-income citizens couldn’t come at a more difficult time.”

[RWC] Once again Mr. Simmeth labels minor cuts and spending increases as “deep cuts.”

“The seasonally adjusted jobless rate for Beaver County stood at 5.3 percent in April as compared with Pennsylvania’s 4.9 percent and the nation’s 5.2 percent.”

[RWC] These are actually good unemployment figures. In the “good old days” 1996 when Bill Clinton was running for re-election, the press referred to the then-current unemployment rate of 5.6% as “already low.”

“During this challenging time, the United Way of Beaver County and the Boy Scouts are again coordinating the Scouting for Food drive to help the hungry. The annual communitywide effort collects donated canned foods and household products to support the Salvation Army Food Bank system, which fed more than 1,400 needy families in Beaver County last year.”

[RWC] How do low unemployment and a growing economy get labeled as a “challenging time?” Don’t get me wrong; even in the best of times we’ll have the needy. I have a problem when folks try to label a good economy and good employment as something else.

“Due to the difficult economy and the projected budget cuts in these important bread-and-butter programs, there is a tremendous need. If you would like to support the Scouting for Food effort, please contact the United Way office in Center Township.”

[RWC] “Difficult economy?” The unemployment figures cited by Mr. Simmeth indicate a good economy, not a “difficult” economy. Indeed, the May unemployment rate dropped to 5.1%. I don’t have the comparable figures for Pennsylvania and Beaver County.